Iran election turnout drops as reformists criticize poll

Reformists are lauding former President Mohammad Khatami as “a winner” for not voting in Iran’s “stage-managed” elections, although some social media users question his motives.

For the first time in his political career, the formerly popular reformist president refrained from voting, despite Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s repeated declarations that voting is a religious duty. Khatami has not made any statements since Friday’s polls regarding his abstention.

Reformist parties and groups such as the Etehad-e Mellat (Nation’s Unity) party, who were denied having any candidates, did not outrightly boycott the elections, but declined endorsement of any candidates .

In a tweet after the closure of the polls, the leader of the Reforms Front, Azar Mansouri, confirmed that Khatami had not voted and said this was in accordance with the Reformist’s previously announced strategy.

Some other social media users, however, allege that Khatami’s political act was masterminded by the regime to mislead the people and preserve clerical rule with “turban-wearing opposition”.

Elections of the parliament and Assembly of Experts Friday had the lowest turnout in the four-decade history of the Islamic Republic despite Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s repeated pleas to the people to vote.

In some constituencies the number of blank and invalid votes is higher than the constituency’s top elected representative. These votes are usually cast by those who may have been rounded up and forced to vote against their wish such as government employees, soldiers, and athletes. The high volume of blank votes has gradually turned into a characteristic of every election in the past decade.